On
Thursday, December 6, Claflin University's goal is to raise at least $20,000 in conjunction with the Tom Joyner Foundation Day of Giving to support student scholarships.

Claflin University has been selected to participate in the 2019 Tom Joyner Foundation School of the Month Campaign. Since Claflin's month is January, loyal Claflin friends and alumni are using this special Day of Giving Campaign to make sure they kick-off the 2019 effort in the grandest way possible. And they're counting on the generosity of donors just like you to make it happen!

All funds raised will support student scholarships at Claflin University. Giving is scheduled to begin at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, December 6, and continue until midnight.

To show our appreciation for your participation, we are offering special thank-you gifts for our "Day of Giving" donors! Whether you
use your gift as a stocking stuffer or as a well-deserved reward for your loyalty to Claflin, we want you to know that your support is making a big difference. Day of Giving supporters for Claflin University will receive the following thank-you items:

Sleeveless Fleece Vest - Gifts of $200 or more

Scarf or Necktie - Gifts of $100 to $199

Lined Personal Journal - Gifts of $75 to $99

Claflin Pennant - Gifts of $25 to $74

Alumni are reminded that any gift made to this campaign will be counted toward their Annual Fund gift and will be credited to their respective alumni chapter. Also, when you make your gift, please take a moment to include your membership with an affinity group. Your gift may inspire a little friendly competition among your classmates and help make
sure Claflin's #1 Alumni Giving Ranking stays at #1!

For more information, please contact Barbara Chappell, major gifts officer, at (803) 535-5349 or
bsteadman@claflin.edu.

Claflin University's Affinity Greek Challenge

On Monday, December 10, 2018, through Thursday, January 10, 2019, Claflin University will hold its Annual Affinity Greek Giving Challenge. During this challenge, alumni of Greek organizations will compete to see who can secure the largest number of donors and the highest fundraising total for the Annual Fund drive. The Annual Fund supports the University's most urgent needs, including student scholarships. Your gift will ensure that Claflin continues to provide a top-quality education to future students.

Remember, every donation counts! A gift of any size to the Annual Fund from December 10, 2018, through January 10, 2019, will count toward participation. If you've already made a gift this year, please consider a second or third gift in any amount!

The winner of the Greek Giving Challenge will have bragging rights and claim the Greek Challenge Title.

The winner will be announced during Claflin University's 45th CUIAA Convention in Charleston, S.C. Weekly reports and updates will be given to keep you informed.

The Claflin University Panthers will make their inaugural appearance in the CIAA Basketball Tournament which begins Tuesday, February 26, 2019 through March 2, 2019. The tournament is widely-acclaimed as one of the nation's top sports, cultural, and entertainment attractions. Men's and women's basketball teams representing all 13-member institutions will compete for the tournament title and a berth to the NCAA Division II Championships. Let's cheer the Panthers on to a CIAA Tournament Championship!

Tickets are on sale now on Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the Claflin University cashier's window on the 2nd Floor of Tingley Hall. Please contact the CU Athletics Department at (803) 535-5504 or email
pcramer@claflin.edu for additional information.

Ticket packages for the tournament are as follows:

Courtside Tickets - $485.00 each (only 2 tickets available)

Center Court - $250.00 each (only 25 tickets available)

General Admission - $125.00 each (only 125 tickets available)

The host hotel for Claflin University is the Doubletree Hilton Hotel Charlotte, N.C. Please click
here to reserve your hotel accommodations. You may also call the hotel at (
704) 227-2815 and use the group code - CLA.

Claflin University, the Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association and Century 21 The Moore Group presented Handel's Messiah on Tuesday evening, November 27, at Stevenson Auditorium. The holiday musical has been presented by Claflin since 1997 and the choral group consists of members of the Orangeburg community, Claflin employees and members of the University's Concert Choir
. This year, the Messiah was directed by Dr. Jason Dungee, assistant professor of music and director of chorale studies at Claflin University.

Employee News

Dr. Bridget P. Dewees, a
ssistant vice president for institutional effectiveness, and her husband, James, have released their new book titled "I.C.U. God." In the book, the Dewees' take you on a journey of faith, love and miracles. After 65 days in ICU and on their 28th anniversary weekend, God blessed James with a new heart via organ donation. James' heart transplant not only provided natural healing, but a spiritual transformation for everyone connected to him. The Dewees' saw the strategic hand of God and his Word come alive on their 65-day wait in ICU. The book highlights the coping strategies that kept James positive and the reflections of Bridget as she dealt with life in and out of ICU.

Panther Pride

Claflin Men's Basketball Falls to ECSU

Elizabeth City State (ECSU) defeated Claflin University, 77-69, in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) contest on Monday, December 4.Claflin will return home Thursday, December 6, to face Virginia Union University as part of a CIAA double-header. Action gets underway with the women's contest at 5:30 p.m. followed by the men's team at approximately 7:30 p.m. (or 20 minutes after the conclusion of the first game).

Ashley Fields hit a fade-away jumper as time expired to lift the Claflin University Lady Panthers over Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), 47-45, in a Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association contest Monday, December 3, at R.L. Vaughan Center.

The Lady Panthers will return home, Thursday, December 6, to host Virginia Union University in another CIAA matchup at 5:30 p.m.